Energy Laboratory project researching into technologies that produce energy from renewable and alternative sources.

The Energy Laboratory. During 2010 the working drawings of the Energy Laboratory were practically completed. This is to be an experimental centre for applied research on production of energy from renewable and alternative sources. Construction will begin at the site in Forlì during 2011. At the Energy Laboratory it will be possible to evaluate various technologies, from those available on the market to those that are still prototypes, thanks to an advanced data acquisition and recording network. The University of Bologna will collaborate in management of the experimental activities.

Energy Recovery in Water Service Plants.In 2010 some studies of the possibilities and technologies for energy recovery in water service plants were begun. The first feasibility study was drafted for energy recovery inside our purification plant in Bologna, using high-efficiency screw pumps developed by the Loccioni Group.

Bio-Hydro. The aim of this project is to develop a disposal cycle for organic wastes of agro-zootechnic origin. It consists of hydrogen fermentation of at least one type of waste and methane co-digestion of the residues from this process together with other agro-zootechnic wastes and/or the organic fraction of solid urban waste. The project is conducted in collaboration with Herambiente and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Bologna, and co-financed by the Ministry of Agricultural, Foods and Forestry Policies. In 2010 the first activities were characterisation of agro-zootechnic wastes and acquisition of various waste matrices suitable for the hydrogen bioconversion process and the anaerobic co-digestion of the hydrogen fermentation effluent. In parallel, the university is conducting the bio-production tests and designing reactor prototypes.

Distributed micro cogeneration systems with fuel cells.Fuel cells are highly efficient electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity. As early as 1993 Hera (then Acoser) inaugurated a cogeneration plant at its central facilities in Bologna with a methane fuel cell. It was the first experience of its kind in Italy. It was financed as part of the THERMIE Programme.

The most promising sector is that of micro cogeneration systems with fuel cells of 1 to 10 kW. The diffusion of these systems would result in significant advantages, in terms of efficient use of natural gas and very limited environmental impact. In 2004 an experimental PEM (proton exchange membrane) system project was started for production of heat and power using natural gas fuel cells of 3-7 kW. The project was completed in 2007 and was financed by the region of Emilia Romagna as part of the Regional Programme for Industrial Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer. The testing phases and experimental monitoring were conducted in collaboration with ENEA.

Page updated 15 March 2011